Breaking Free: A Colorado High Country Crossover Novel by Pamela Clare (well read books .TXT) 📗

I’ve got almost two weeks before I have to drive back. The hearing is on the ninth of October.”

“Twelve days.” That was nothing.

It was everything.

“I’ll stay in Scarlet as long as I can.”

She was starting to get sleepy again, probably from the drugs. “I want you to know that I don’t regret any of this—you and me. We’ve only known each other for a short time, but I…”

What was she about to tell him? That she’d fallen in love with him? Good grief! How would that help either of them?

He was leaving.

He waited, his brow furrowing with concern when she didn’t finish her sentence.

“I think the drugs are kicking in. I lost my train of thought.”

He kissed her forehead. “You should sleep. I’ll be right here.”

“I won’t let you fall.” Jason walked beside Winona as she moved down the hallway, trying out her new crutches. “You’re doing it.”

“I’m not sure how I’m going to get around the clinic like this.”

Her nurse walked on her other side. “You’re a vet?”

“A wildlife vet.”

“Cool. Ever take care of anything like a bear or a cougar?”

“Yes. I’ve got an injured bear cub now.”

“Wow!”

They reached the end of the hallway.

“Do you want to sit and rest for a minute?” the nurse asked.

“I just want to get back to my room.” Winona turned and headed the other way.

It seemed to Jason that she was more uncomfortable this morning—and grumpier. The nerve block had worn off long ago, and pain pills were now her only source of relief. She was also worried about the cost of the helicopter flight and her hospital bill.

He walked beside her. “One step at a time.”

He and the nurse had just gotten her back into bed when her door opened and Chaska walked in with Grandpa Belcourt, who was dressed in a fine ribbon shirt, an eagle feather in his hair, a leather bundle under one arm.

Winona smiled. “Chaska. Grandpa.”

Grandpa glanced around. “This room looks like a flower shop.”

A half dozen bouquets sat wherever there was space—on the counter by the sink, on the table beside her bed, on the windowsill. The West family had sent one. Joe and Rain from Knockers had sent another. Lexi and some clinic volunteers had also sent one with a card telling Winona not to worry about the clinic. Zach and Natalie had sent one, too. He couldn’t remember who’d sent the others.

“I can wait in the hall.” Jason turned to leave the room so Winona could have some private time with her family, but Chaska stopped him.

“Stay with us. Old Man wants to pray.”

Grandpa Belcourt unrolled the bundle, drew out a braid of sweetgrass and an eagle feather. He was about to light the sweetgrass when the nurse’s aide walked in.

“I’m sorry, sir, there’s no smoking … or … uh… no smoke allowed.”

Chaska was ready for this. “This is part of our religion. It’s how we pray.”

The nurse’s aide seemed confused. “We have chaplains available if you’d like spiritual support.”

Jason wasn’t in the mood for this. “This man is an elder and a Lakota spiritual leader. Go read the American Indian Religious Freedom Act, and then come talk to us about hospital rules and chaplains.”

The nurse’s aide left, red in the face, probably off to fetch the proverbial cavalry.

Chaska met Jason’s gaze, approval in his eyes.

Old Man Belcourt lit the grass, blew out the flame, ran the eagle feather through the tendril of smoke, then used the feather to fan the smoke over Winona. He spoke in Lakota before translating his words into English for Jason’s sake. “Tunkashila, Grandfather, Creator, I give thanks for my granddaughter Winona’s rescue and her survival. I ask that you watch over her and help her to heal and walk again.”

Tears spilled down Winona’s cheeks.

Then he turned to Jason, fanning smoke over him, too, the sweet scent of the grass tickling Jason’s nose. “Creator, watch over the man who protected Winona and saved her life, Jason Chiago, this man who moves with the strength of a wolf. Guide him on his way. Keep his feet on the path of a true human being.”

Was that the path Jason was on? He had no idea.

Lastly, Grandpa turned to Chaska, fanned smoke over him. “Bless my grandson and help him to be a good father and husband. Mitakuye Oyasin. All my relations.”

Chaska nodded. “Aho. Mitakuye Oyasin”

It was the only Lakota phrase Jason knew. “Mitakuye Oyasin.”

The prayer was over by the time the nurse arrived. “I’m sorry. She’s new and doesn’t understand. We allow indigenous spiritual practices at this hospital, provided patients aren’t placed in danger. I’m really sorry for the misunderstanding.”

“Thank you for teaching her.” Grandpa rolled the feather and sweetgrass back into their sacred bundle. “And thank you for taking good care of my granddaughter.”

“You’re welcome. I apologize once again.” The nurse left them in peace.

Grandpa Belcourt sat next to the bed and asked to hear the whole story from Winona and Jason. He listened thoughtfully, as if every word mattered, nodding his head every so often, his expression grave. When Jason finished with the helicopter’s arrival and his darting the wolf, there was silence.

After a moment, Old Man spoke. “It’s hard to know why such things happen. But I believe Creator meant for you to be there, Chiago. Otherwise, my granddaughter would have died, and the wolf would still be alone. We should talk more about these things.”

Chaska grinned. “What Old Man is saying is that he’s pouring water for an inipi—a sweat lodge ceremony—and he wants you to be there.”

There was only one answer Jason could give to an invitation like this. “Of course, I’ll be there. I would be honored.”

“Kat James is coming by this evening to stay with Winona.”

“Kat’s coming?” Winona perked up.

Chaska nodded. “Gabe is joining us for the lodge. You know what he went through. He’ll have some powerful prayers for you.”

Jason saw in Winona’s eyes how much that meant to her. “Gabe is a good man.”

Old Man got to his feet. “You can